How to Reduce Food Waste

Here at W&P, we’re all about making the world a better place. One of the ways we do this is by offering a wide range of sustainable food storage containers, insulated drinkware, etc. to reduce our customers’ use of single-use plastics. We also believe in offering helpful tips to help people lessen their impact on the planet. Today, we decided to share some of our top suggestions for reducing food waste. 

If you’re like many people, you may have no idea just how much food your family wastes each year. From spoiled produce to uneaten leftovers, roughly one-third of all food produced in the United States is wasted. According to the EPA, more than 80% of uneaten food ends up in combustion facilities or landfills. 

Reducing your food waste is one of the best ways to save money on your grocery bills and lower your climate change footprint by conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ready to learn how to reduce food waste? Keep reading to find out! 

Shop Smart

Make a shopping list before heading to the grocery store. And don’t just write down whatever foods and ingredients sound good. Think about what meals you would like to prepare in the following week and consider how much of each ingredient you’ll need. Check your fridge, pantry and freezer before shopping to see what you already have. Stick to your list while you’re at the store. Avoid impulse purchases, and think carefully before buying something in bulk just because it's a better deal. It’s not a great deal if you end up throwing the extra away before using it. 

Buy “Ugly” Produce

Fruits and vegetables aren’t unsafe simply because they aren’t the most beautiful ones in the bin. Over 1.3 billion tons of cosmetically imperfect food is wasted every year. Do your part by shopping for food that is edible, not necessarily pretty. You may even save some money by choosing produce that is less than perfect. 

Store Food Properly

Proper storage keeps foods fresher longer while ensuring your family’s safety. Store fruits and veggies in reusable silicone bags rather than those plastic produce bags from the grocery store to keep them fresh longer. (And invest in reusable mesh produce bags so you can avoid the plastic ones altogether.) Put meat and fish in reusable freezer storage containers before putting them in the freezer. Good containers maintain quality a lot better than these products’ original packaging. 

Temperature is crucial when it comes to proper food storage, too. Make sure your fridge is set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and keep your freezer at 0 degrees. Be careful when putting warm leftovers away. If you’ve ever wondered “Can you put hot food in the fridge?”, the answer might surprise you. While you can technically put hot food stored in borosilicate glass or silicone in the fridge, it isn’t always a great idea. Adding large quantities of hot food can heat up your fridge. Unless you’re putting something small in, wait until it’s cool. 

Ask for Takeout Containers

Don’t leave food behind when dining at restaurants. Ask for a takeout container if you can’t finish your meal. And don’t shove the leftovers in your fridge and forget about them when you get home! Alternatively, ask for smaller portions when dining out. Doing so reduces waste and lessens your odds of overeating. 

Use Insulated Drinkware

Try to avoid wasting drinks too. If you’re not one to drink your coffee once it gets cold, use insulated drinkware to keep it nice and hot all day long. Or put your iced tea or soda in an insulated water bottle to keep it from getting warm. You can also use your insulated drinkware to take soup, stew, oatmeal and other hot foods to work with you without worrying about them getting cold before lunchtime. 

Closing Thoughts

Source: Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock.com

Reducing food waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources. On a personal level, taking steps to waste less food is good for your bank account. After all, do you really want to throw away your hard-earned money? That’s exactly what happens when you throw away food! We have the containers you need to keep your food and beverages fresh for as long as possible. Shop today to find solutions to help you on your journey to living a less wasteful life.